It's a jungle out there, that's why some politicians are referred to as “big beasts". This is intended as flattery as it means they stand out from the herd and command respect rather than implying they behave badly (which they may or may not do). There is a new twist to the urban jungle metaphor since visitors to a local safari park have been banned from wearing fake leopard prints and tiger stripes. Visitors wearing animal prints on safari are confusing and frightening the animals. Those wearing black and white zebra stripes have attracted a lot of interest from curious giraffes who have taken to sticking their heads inside vehicles to get a closer look. Staff have been issuing grey boiler suits to anyone whose clothes resemble the skin of giraffes, leopards, cheaters or tigers.
Are there parallels with the office dress code?
Animal behaviour consultant Dr Cand D'sa said colour and movement provoke strong reactions in animals. Big cats will start showing an interest if someone limps past their enclosure because they look weak.
“Possibly the worst thing you could do is limp past the lion or tiger enclosure in a zebra print outfit".
Something to bear in mind when deciding what to wear for that close encounter with the leader of the council. Best get to the committee meeting early you don't want to be walking in with that sprained ankle.
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